(FROM LEFT): Estrada, Jackson, and Johnson
Photos by Campaigns
When voters head to the ballot box this year, three incumbent constables will be looking for your vote to return to work.
In Potter County, Georgia Estrada and Idella Jackson are seeking re-election in Precincts 2 and 4, respectively. Both Estrada and Jackson are unopposed in their Democratic primary elections, but will face a Republican challenger in the November election. In Estrada’s case, her likely opponent is Zack Coleman, who was the only candidate to file. Jackson’s primary opponent will be sorted out in the Republican primary as Kerry Haney and Norman Dowlen both want the chance to challenge her for her job.
The position of the constable has a deep history in Texas. Enshrined in the Texas Constitution, the office of the constable serves as a law enforcement officer for the justice of the peace court. The constable differs from other law enforcement positions, Estrada says, due to continuing education and training required for constables on civil law and process.
Looking ahead to an election that is still in the distance, but approaching rapidly, Estrada says she feels good about her prospects for 2020.
“My community knows who has worked for them and who has been out there for them,” Estrada said. “I’m ready.”
Precinct 2 has been the biggest swing precinct in Potter County in past cycles. In the Justice of the Peace position, Democrat Nancy Bosquez once dominated the ballot box before being ousted by Republican Rich Herman in 2014. In 2018, voters sent Republican Robert Taylor to work, but by a tight margin as Democrat Claudia Griego trailed Taylor by only 150 votes out of more than 3,000 cast.
Many pundits and observers have credited Taylor’s tight win with straight-ticket voting anchored by the marquee matchup between Ted Cruz and Beto O’Rourke for Texas’ U.S. Senate seat in 2018. For the first time, however, voters will not have the straight-ticket voting option in 2020, which has potentially changed the dynamics of elections up and down the ballot in Texas. Estrada notes the lack of straight-ticket voting in 2020, saying it is now up to the candidates to educate voters about the new process.
“I think it’s my duty as an elected official to educate the public [on the loss of straight-ticket voting],” Estrada said. “We need to encourage people to research the candidates.”
However, Estrada feels confident in her race, noting her record as a constable and her work to rebuild the constable’s office in Precinct 2.
“That’s why it’s so important to me,” Estrada said. “Because of the time I have invested to build this office into what it is now.”
In Precinct 4, Idella Jackson is also looking forward to the 2020 election. Jackson has run successful campaigns for the position in the past and believes she will again in the upcoming election, noting her passion for the job.
“You just have to have passion for the people you represent,” Jackson said. “If you don’t, it really affects the position.”
Jackson has also been considering how the lack of straight-ticket voting will affect her contest, but believes that if people are passionate about the race and about the candidates, voters will stay to vote down the ballot.
“If you can make sure they are inspired, educated, and motivated about the candidate, they will stay and vote,” Jackson said.
Jackson’s experience in law enforcement has translated to victories at the ballot box in the past. In 2012, , she beat Republican Juan Gonzalez by a 20 point margin and won re-election unopposed in 2016. However, Jackson knows that 2020 will be all about educating voters and get them to the voting booth.
Meanwhile, in Randall County, voters will have their say in a contested primary for constable in Precinct 4. Republican Chris Johnson is seeking re-election in his primary, again facing challenger Paula Hicks. Johnson thumped Hicks in 2016, winning by 20 points, and is set to again face the sheriff’s deputy in his primary.
In their last primary, while voters were deciding between Johnson and Hicks, they were also casting ballots for President in a race that mostly played out between Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, and Marco Rubio that year. Turnout is expected to be down in this year’s primary with Trump facing former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld and former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh as his primary opposition, along with Rocky De La Fuente, Bob Ely, and Zoltan Istvan. Johnson notes that turnout will be down in the race, leading to a potentially more dramatic election night.
“There are a lot of undercurrents in this race. This election is going to be tighter than the first one,” Johnson said, while noting that the 15 candidate Republican field hoping to replace U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry will likely be the biggest driver of turnout in 2020.
Still, Johnson feels good about his chances to re-election, noting positive feedback from the community and his work for the residents of Randall County over his past two terms. He says his record should speak for itself when voters are deciding on the candidate to support.
“I believe I have integrity, honor, discipline, and diligence,” Johnson said. “It’s important that people can look at their constable and say…’he does the right thing for the right reason.’”
Johnson’s record has attracted support at the ballot box in the past. In addition to winning his 2016 primary, Johnson emerged from a field of five candidates in 2012 to claim his spot in that year’s primary runoff. Johnson eventually stumped runoff opponent Bert Bytheway at the ballot box, winning 59 percent of the vote.
Voters will decide the rematch between Johnson and Hicks on March 3. No candidates from other parties have filed to appear in the November election.
The Pioneer’s interviews with the constable challengers will be scheduled at a later date.